I guess I really wanted one.
I guess I really wanted one. I have solar panels (12.4kwh system) and I so wanted to use the electricity it makes to power my ride. I am not a fan of the Prius, too low and too small, but the RAV4... now you are talking. I live in WI and figured the only way was to buy from a dealer in CA. So, on Labor Day, I called every dealer in CA that had one listed in inventory until I found one willing to sell it to me. I got on a plane 2 days later and picked it up and drove t back to WI (1978 miles - used mostly gas and charged the battery with the gas engine). I only got about 30mpg, but I was in a hurry and I was charging the battery with the engine. I got a XSE for 5K over MSRP and paid CA sales tax, ouch! But since it comes with a $7500 tax credit, that eases the pain a bit. I expect I have the only RAV4 Prime in the state, and perhaps the midwest. I went to my local dealer with it and the entire sales floor immediately came out to see it. I like the plug in aspect and I am getting close to 60 miles on a charge. The fit and finish is not great. The fit and finish on my 2004 AWD LTD Sienna is/was a LOT better. i could go into a lot of detail here. I am disappointed in that, but it does what I bought it for, and I am happy I did it, but not sure I would do it again.